Finding God in a kaleidoscope

Milk-white wicks swim in little pools of ghee. They sit atop a shiny green banana leaf—each a prayer for a loved one, a prayer to ward off evil spirits or a prayer to grant your wildest wishes. One by one the lamps are lit and soon the thousand little fires illuminate the thousand solemn faces—eyes shut tight, lips incanting, as if in a séance. They have kept their fast and come with offerings of fruit, sweetmeat, milk and green coconut to Baba Lokenath's ashram to tell him their troubles and their dreams. The ranks come alive in the dimming November evening, singing frensied songs of devotion, singing till the last prodip fades into the night. Maybe tonight, Baba will listen.

Photo: Hasan Mahmud Prottoy

Photo: Md Moazzem Mostakim

Photos: Md Moazzem Mostakim

Photos: Md Moazzem Mostakim

Photo: Md Moazzem Mostakim

Photo: Hasan Mahmud Prottoy

Photos: Hasan Mahmud Prottoy

Photos: Hasan Mahmud Prottoy

Photo: Hasan Mahmud Prottoy